Greater Brighton Energy Plan

Read our Greater Brighton Energy Plan

The Greater Brighton Energy Plan, published in January 2020, outlines a comprehensive strategy for transitioning the Greater Brighton region towards a sustainable, low-carbon energy system.

The plan focuses on 5 key areas:

  1. Low Carbon Heating: Promoting the adoption of heat pumps and developing district heating networks to reduce reliance on fossil fuels for heating.
  2. Energy Saving and Efficiency: Implementing building retrofits and enhancing energy efficiency across residential and commercial sectors to lower overall energy demand.
  3. Renewable Generation: Expanding local renewable energy, distributed production, particularly through solar photovoltaic (PV) installations and wind energy projects. Large scale centralized generation is outside the plan but it highlights the significant contribution of the Rampion offshore wind farm and its planned extension, which was approved by the Government in April 2025.
  4. Smart Energy Systems: Integrating advanced technologies to create a more responsive and efficient energy grid, facilitating better demand-side management and energy storage solutions.
  5. Transport Revolution: Encouraging the shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen buses to decarbonize transportation within the region. The plan recommends a separate transport working group would be beneficial due to the cohesive area approach needed for low carbon transport infrastructure requirements.

The plan identifies 17 project areas aimed at reducing energy demand, cutting carbon emissions, and delivering community benefits. Additionally, the plan emphasizes the importance of community energy groups, workforce upskilling, and collaborative delivery models to achieve its objectives.

By implementing these strategies, the Greater Brighton region aims to become a leader in sustainable energy, contributing to national carbon reduction targets and fostering sustainable economic prosperity through green innovation.

Greater Brighton Water Plan

Read our Greater Brighton Water Plan

The Greater Brighton region is one of the most water-stressed in the UK. The Greater Brighton Water Plan, published in July 2020, outlines a strategic approach to address the region’s water challenges arising from climate change, population growth, and environmental protection. Without intervention, the area could face a daily water supply deficit of nearly 90 million litres by 2050.

The plan focuses on 5 key areas:

  1. Water Neutrality: Ensuring that new developments do not increase overall water demand by implementing efficiency measures and offsetting usage.
  2. Carbon Capture Projects: Initiatives aimed at restoring natural environments, such as kelp beds, to enhance carbon sequestration and improve marine biodiversity.
  3. Water and Energy Efficiency Visits: Conducting home visits to promote efficient water and energy use, thereby reducing consumption and lowering household bills.
  4. Rain Garden Campaign: Encouraging the creation of rain gardens to manage surface water, reduce flood risks, and improve water quality.
  5. Water Recycling in New Developments: Implementing systems in new housing projects to recycle water for non-potable uses, decreasing overall freshwater demand.

The plan emphasizes collaborative efforts among water companies, local authorities, regulators, and businesses to share knowledge, identify solutions, and position Greater Brighton as a leader in sustainable water management. It also highlights the importance of integrating water efficiency into the region’s growth strategies to ensure long-term resilience and affordability for residents.

The energy and water plans were the basis for the GB10 Pledges that Greater Brighton members signed up to in October 2020. In addition to excellent progress on individual projects, such as the Communiflex project to transition an entire village off oil heating, this provided a joint platform for:

  • successful bidding for Decarbonisation funding
  • improving energy efficiency in council housing
  • innovation Forum run by the University of Sussex
  • promoting and encouraging a hydrogen economy via Hydrogen Sussex
  • contributing to UKPN’s investment framework

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